i would look to get something even more narrow if you are to drive in a lot of snow, a 205/50/17 would be better than a 225/45/17

Not substantially. And a size 50 may not fit properly by being too tall. The extra 1" width of snow tire biting into the snow, at these widths, offsets any weight-distribution anomalies you would see between a 205-to-225 width.

Please, stop providing "advice" to people here, lest they may actually think you know WTF you're talking about. Particularly the part where you imply that understeer is less safe than oversteer in a situation where traction is lost.

You also clearly haven't the slightest idea how power transfer in an AWD vehicle (in particular XDrive) operates. Do some reading, and save yourself further public embarrassment, like where you just told someone 1 wheel of action in a slip condition is better than 4, just because it has a snow tire on it.

yikes. You're the reason the internet is a dangerous place to find advice.

When did I say Oversteer was better?

Dude you are a complete moron. I said you lose steering traction by driving the front wheels.

AWD is not a safety thing. Get over it. I love your name though. AWD lets you get going - that's it. Doesn't help you turn, doesn't help you stop.

Not substantially. And a size 50 may not fit properly by being too tall. The extra 1" width of snow tire biting into the snow, at these widths, offsets any weight-distribution anomalies you would see between a 205-to-225 width.

Congrats on your new ride, buddy. Tire rack has some good comparisons for you to take a look at (including comparisons of AWD cars with AS tires vs. AWD with Winter in snow/ice.

I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to carefully make it through the season on all season tires. People do it every year. However, it only takes one emergency instance in which you needed to stop 3 feet shorter or turn 4 feet further to the left/right for you to kiss the rubber that winter tires put to the road. It basically just comes down to the amount of risk you are wanting to avert/allow in your daily commute.

Personally, I put winter performance tires on all of my AWD and RWD (I don't buy FWD, but I'd put them there too) vehicles ever since a scary braking scenario in an AWD with all-seasons. The thing to remember (and what I think the posters above we're arguing about) is that the advanced drive logic and electronic torque vectoring of modern AWD vehicles is designed for stable acceleration and deceleration-forward and backward motion (think accellerating or braking through a turn, in a straight, etc). However, your grip (which allows these systems to do what they need to do) is limited by the vehicles tires. All cars (regardless of their potential acceleration/deceleration capabilities) are essentially limited to those four little patches of rubber underneath them (be they 4x4, AWD, RWD, FWD, open differential, LSD, etc, etc.).

I'd say no go on the car cover several mentioned above. You are probably more likely to cause damage than to prevent it.

If you drive through the carwash, make sure it is touch less and pay for the undercarriage wash. Just keep in mind that these will still leave behind a film of grime, so doing an old fashioned wash when weather permits is a definite go. Finally a good pre-season cleaning & wax will do wonders for preventing paint damage.

Congrats on your new ride, buddy. Tire rack has some good comparisons for you to take a look at (including comparisons of AWD cars with AS tires vs. AWD with Winter in snow/ice.

I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to carefully make it through the season on all season tires. People do it every year. However, it only takes one emergency instance in which you needed to stop 3 feet shorter or turn 4 feet further to the left/right for you to kiss the rubber that winter tires put to the road. It basically just comes down to the amount of risk you are wanting to avert/allow in your daily commute.

Personally, I put winter performance tires on all of my AWD and RWD (I don't buy FWD, but I'd put them there too) vehicles ever since a scary braking scenario in an AWD with all-seasons. The thing to remember (and what I think the posters above we're arguing about) is that the advanced drive logic and electronic torque vectoring of modern AWD vehicles is designed for stable acceleration and deceleration-forward and backward motion (think accellerating or braking through a turn, in a straight, etc). However, your grip (which allows these systems to do what they need to do) is limited by the vehicles tires. All cars (regardless of their potential acceleration/deceleration capabilities) are essentially limited to those four little patches of rubber underneath them (be they 4x4, AWD, RWD, FWD, open differential, LSD, etc, etc.).

I'd say no go on the car cover several mentioned above. You are probably more likely to cause damage than to prevent it.

If you drive through the carwash, make sure it is touch less and pay for the undercarriage wash. Just keep in mind that these will still leave behind a film of grime, so doing an old fashioned wash when weather permits is a definite go. Finally a good pre-season cleaning & wax will do wonders for preventing paint damage.